NBCUniversal

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on NBCUniversal:

NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock launches today on iOS and Apple TV

By

Peacock from NBCUniversal
Because 2020 doesn't have enough streaming subscription services.
Photo: NBC Universal

NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock launched Wednesday, complete with iOS and Apple TV apps.

Peacock, which joins a plethora of similar streaming services, has been up and running for Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Flex cable customers since April. However, today it gets a wider U.S. release, with both paid and free tiers.

NBCUniversal streamer Peacock comes early to Comcast customers

By

peacock
Peacock is ready to take on Netflix and Apple TV+.
Photo: NBCUniversal

Comcast is jumping into the streaming wars this week with an early preview of Peacock that gives customers access to over 15,000 hours of movies and TV shows from NBCUniversal. Peacock isn’t set to launch to the public until July, but if you’re an Xfinity X1 or Flex customer, you can get a taste of service starting on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

Surprise… NBC goes free with Peacock streaming service, but with ads

By

Peacock from NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal decided to call its streaming-video service Peacock. And the jokes practically write themselves.
Photo: NBC Universal

NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock will employ a distinctly different pricing strategy than Apple TV+, Netflix and other competitors. It’ll be free, but with advertisements.

Those willing to pay will have access to additional content, however.

NBC’s Peacock takes on Apple TV+ with Battlestar Galactica reboot nobody wants

By

Peacock from NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal decided to call its streaming-video service Peacock. And the jokes practically write themselves.
Photo: NBC Universal

NBCUniversal has given a somewhat questionable name to its upcoming streaming video service: Peacock.

It will face tough competition from Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV+, but will be able to offer classics like The Office and Parks and Recreation, as well as a second reboot of Battlestar Galactica.

NBCUniversal is set to challenge Apple TV+ and Netflix in 2020

By

The Office
NBCUniversal will be the only place to stream The Office starting in 2021.
Photo: NBC Universal

Apple TV+ will be getting some fresh competition in the streaming wars courtesy of Comcast come April of next year.

Comcast revealed the launch date of its upcoming NBCUniversal streaming service during its latest earnings call. NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke also said that the service is built on a platform similar to Sky’s Now TV in the UK.

AT&T’s rival for Apple TV+ might cost just $17 per month

By

AT&T's WatchTV combines streaming TV channels with unlimited data.
AT&T has a war chest of great content.
Photo: AT&T

AT&T’s upcoming video streaming service is taking different shape after the company reportedly abandoned plans to create a three-tiered service.

The service allegedly has a launch date slated for later this year and will compete directly with Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+ and others. Instead of selling HBO, Cinemax and the Warner Bros. TV and movie library separately, AT&T’s will package them altogether. And the price point could be the best feature.

Disney takes over Hulu as Apple TV+ competition builds

By

Hulu
Live sports could be Hulu’s biggest selling point.
Photo: Hulu

The Walt Disney Company now owns not one, but two TV streaming services.

After partnering with various media companies on Hulu for years, Disney has slowly been buying up its partners’ stake in the streaming service. Its recent acquisition of 21st Century Fox gave it 60% ownership, but Disney just revealed that it struck a deal with Comcast that will give it complete ownership of Hulu.

Apple taps Steven Spielberg for original sci-fi show

By

Steven Spielberg takes the stage at Comic-Con International in 2017.
Apple is reportedly ready to whip up some new amazing stories with Steven Spielberg.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

Apple is set to make its biggest push into original content yet by inking a deal with one of the biggest directors in Hollywood history.

Steven Spielberg and Apple reportedly will create new episodes of Amazing Stories. The science fiction anthology series originally ran in the 1980s on NBC, but will be relaunched with all-new episodes.

Saturday Night Live inks deal to create funny ads for Apple

By

Alec Baldwin has been killing it as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
Alec Baldwin has been killing it as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
Photo: NBCUniversal

iPhone ads are about to get a lot funnier.

Apple is reportedly planning to inject some much-needed humor into a few of its upcoming commercials after striking a deal with NBC that will see the team behind Saturday Night Live write a few ads for the iPhone-maker.

Cupertino taps NBCUniversal to sell Apple News ads

By

Apple News
Apple News is about to get magazines too.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s News app is getting some much-needed help at selling ads.

Instead of continuing to sell advertising on its own, Apple has reportedly inked an exclusive deal with NBCUniversal that will allow the company to sell ads for the News app.

General Electric nearly bought Apple in 1996

By

iPhone
The iPhone could've been made by GE.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple Inc. and General Electric are two of the most iconic American companies of the last century, but back in 1996 they almost become one company as GE CEO Jack Welch considered buying the computer maker.

It would have only cost GE $2 billion and the current Apple CEO, Michael Spindler, was begging Welch to pull the trigger on the deal in order to save the struggling company.

Comcast denies talking with Apple about TV service

By

Apple isn't talking with NBC's parent company about a TV service. Photo: NBCUniversal
Apple hasn't approached NBC's parent company about a TV service. Photo: NBCUniversal

It turns out Apple isn’t talking with NBCUniversal about partnering for its forthcoming TV service. At least not yet.

How do we know? Because Comcast, NBCUniversal’s parent company, hasn’t been approached by Apple at all. But that doesn’t mean NBCUniversal’s content won’t be on Apple’s service when it launches.